Midsized Hardee County is a popular micropolitan statistical area comprised of approximately 27,731 residents. It is also home to the Hardee Bridge of Hope, The Hardee County Fair and The Center for the Great Apes. Hardee County, along with the rest of the Florida Heartland, is experiencing a burst of growth in population estimated to be approximately 9%. This is also a popular tourist stop for those who seek out a dash of history and a dose of authentic Southern charm. As such, Hardee County is consistently patrolled by:

The Hardee County Sheriff’s Department

Wauchula Police Department

Florida Highway Patrol

These law enforcement agencies are on the lookout for speeding vehicles and other criminal activity. In 2013 alone, there were over 2,540 speeding citations bestowed upon drivers in the area. If you have been accused of speeding in Hardee County, you currently stand accused of a crime. Enlisting the assistance of a Hardee County speeding ticket lawyer is extremely advisable.

Fines, Fees and Penalties for Speed

Speeding may appear a minor offense in comparison to other crimes but if a speeding citation is not tended to promptly and correctly it can affect a wide variety of aspects of your day to day life. For example, if your driving privileges are suspended this could affect:

Your daily commuting experience

Your job

Your ability to travel long distances

Your dependency on the people around you

One common error drivers make is assuming that paying the fine associated with speeding will rid them of the problem entirely. A speeding ticket attorney in Hardee County can explain the details of how paying a ticket can damage your driving record and possibly your employment future. In short, paying a ticket automatically proves you are guilty of a Florida crime. With this guilty verdict comes a mark on your driving record in the form of three or four points depending upon your speed and location. Drivers who accrue 12 points in a year, 18 points in 18 months or 24 points in 36 months are subject to license suspension.

Law enforcement keeps a keen eye on individual driving records. Other agencies that can access this information include insurance companies who may raise rates due to points and current and/or future employers who tend to view driving records as symbolic of an individual’s level of responsibility. A speeding ticket attorney in Hardee County understands the importance of maintaining a reputation as a low risk driver. This legal representative can aid defendants in seeking out alternative options and avoiding these points altogether.

In addition to fines which range from $76 on the low-end to $611 or more, there can also be court fees and other penalties. Fines can be lower if a driver agrees to attend a court approved traffic school and higher if a driver stands accused of speeding in a school or construction zone.

An experienced Wauchula speeding ticket lawyer is familiar with local traffic laws and could possibly devise defenses drivers would be unaware of on their own. If you are considering pleading not guilty, you and your attorney can you draft up a list of any road or weather conditions that could have hindered your ability to drive within the limits of the law. Even the smallest detail can lead to a not guilty verdict in most cases.

Contacting the Clerk of the Court in Hardee County

If you decide to plead not guilty to a Hardee County speeding citation, a speeding ticket lawyer in Hardee County will submit this plea to the Clerk of the Court at417 W. Main Street, Wauchula, FL 33873. From there on out, your Wauchula speeding ticket attorney will take care of all legal documentation and even attend court in your place if necessary. Prior to contacting the Clerk of the Court is advisable to contact your Wauchula speeding ticket lawyer.